Magneto-electric generator.



No. 744,573. PATENTED NOV. 17, 1903. L. J. LE PONTOIS & A. CLEMENT.

MAGNETO ELECTRIC GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.13,1901.

NO MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented November 17, 1903.

PATENT OEEIcE.

LEON J. LE PONTOIS AND ADOLPHE CLEMENT, OF LEVALLOIS-PERRET, FRANCE.

MAGNETO-ELECTRIC GENERATQR.

SPEIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent N 0. 744,573, dated November17, 1903.

Application filed August 13, 1901. Serial N0. 71,975. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, LEON J. Lu PONTOIS and ADOLPHE CLEMENT, bothcitizens of the French Republic, and residents of Levallois- Perret,Seine, France, have jointly invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Magneto-Electric Generators, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to magneto-electric generators for producing acurrent of electricity for effecting ignition of the charge in aninternal-combustion engine; and the object of the invention is toproduce a generator of this character which shall be especially adaptedto the purpose stated.

The generator embodying this invention is an alternating-currentgenerator, and it is well known that in this class of generators thecurrents are produced in the armature by a rapid modification in thenumber of lines of force which surround the circuit. This modificationis generally produced by the movement adjacent to the pole-pieces of thefield-magnet of magnetic conductors which in modifying by their positionthe reluctance of the magnetic circuit cause an increase in or adiminution of the lines of force surrounding the magnetic circuit. Acomplete alternation of the current is produced at each variation of themagnetic circuit. This principle of construction is embodied in thegenerator forming the object of the present invention, and by means ofthis generator an alternating current is produced each time that aconductor, whether magnetic or not, carried by the driving-shaft or somepart iiXed thereon modifies the distribution of the lines of forceradiating from the magnets.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments of theinvention, Figure 1 is a front or face view of the device. Fig. 2 is asection of the same at line 00" in Fig. l, and Fig.- 3 is a sectiontaken at line inFig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, illustratinga slightly-modified construction.

Before proceeding to describe the construction of the device it may bestated that the required variations in the distribution of the lines offorce from the field-magnet are offected by passing in front of thepoles of the field-magnet one or more blocks of non-magnetic metal-asbronze, for example-fitted into the rotating iron or cast metal part,which latter rotates in close proximity to the poles of the magnet. Inthis case the reluctance of the magnetic circuit is increased at themovement of the passing of the block, said circuit being closed beforeand again closed immediately after said passage, owing to the the smallair-space between the poles and the surface of the moving part. Theacceleration or retardation of the ignition is attained by varying theposition of the field-magnet, which will be capable of adjustment aboutthe axis of the moving part.

Referring primarily to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, II designates the rotatingpart or a fragment thereof. This may be an iron fly-wheel on the shaftof the engine. 1 is a permanent field magnet, having its pole-pieces 2and presented to the periphery of the fly-wheel II On the pole-piece 2is a secondary coil 4, and on the pole-piece L3 is secured a contact-armor brush 5, which is electrically connected with one end of the wire ofthe coil -il. Pivotally mounted on the fly-wheel IV is a contactarm (5,provided with a spring 7, which tends to draw it inward or toward theaxis of rotation, this spring being overcome by the centrifugal forcetending to throw the said arm 6 outward. T W0 steps or detent-screws Sand 9 limit the movements of the said arm. In the rim or peripheral faceof the fly-wheel or other rotating part is set a block 10, of bronze orother non-magnetic metal. IVhen the machine or engine is in motion andthe fly-wheel rotating, the magnetic circuit is closed by the fly -wheelrim except when the block 10, of

non-magnetic metal, (an insulator from a mag netic point of view,) ispassing before the pole-piece 2. At this moment variations of intensityare produced in the inducing mag netic circuit, from which it resultsthat an alternating induced current of electricity is generated in thecoil a. The contact-arm (3 under the influence of centrifugal force isthrown outward far enough to come in contact as it moves with the brush5, and the circuit is closed at this point. In order to in sure theproduction of a current at the moment of starting the engine, when thearm (3 is drawn in by its spring, the fly-wheel is provided with asecond bronze block l0 and with a fixed contactpiece G, which also hasrubbing contact with the brush 5. The production of the current by thisdevice is slightly retarded; but this fact does not present anyinconvenience. \Vhen the speed has become sufficient to throw out thecontact-arm (5, this arm will effect the closing at the proper moment.The second current generated by the movement of the block 10 in front ofthe pole-piece of the magnet produces no effect on the motor.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. elthe contactarm fi is pivotednear its middle and has a weight (3 at one end, which tends when acted.upon by centrifugal force to draw the contact-arm inward and out ofcontact with the brush The spring 7 counteracts the centrifugal force upto a certain speed; but if this speed should be exceeded the centrifugalforce acts to draw in the contact-arm and maintain a break in thecircuit. In this form of the device the block 10 and contact 0 are notrequired.

The sparking or ignition point may be situated at any point desired, andthis may be ar ranged in the igniting-circuit in the usual way by anyelectrician.

In both forms of the magneto-electrical device shown there may be blocks11 of magnetic m aterial secured to the arms of the magnet. These blocksproduce a considerable derivation of the lines of force, so that themagnetic field may be varied at will by shifting these blocks, whichhave a screw-and-slot connection with the arms of the magnet.

In Fig. 1 the igniter 12 is shown somewhat diagrammatically merely toindicate the circuit.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is 1. A device forthe purpose specified, eomprising a magneto-electric generator, an ignitin gcircuit which includes a coil about one of the pole-pieces ofthe field-magnet of the generator, means for producing variations in themagnetic circuit, and automatic means, influenced by centrifugal forcefor controlling a break in the igniting-circuit.

2. A device for the purpose set forth, comprising a magnet 1, having itspole-pieces adjacent to a moving part W composed of magnetic metal, thesaid moving part, provided with a block of non-magneticmetal, anigniting-circuit, and a coil. t on one of the pole pieces of saidmagnet, said coil forming a part of said igniting-circuit.

3. In a device for the purpose specified, the combination with a movingpart \V, of magnetic metal, a magnet 1 having its pole-pieces adjacentto said moving part, a coil -i on one of the pole-pieces of said magnet,a block 10 of non-magnetic metal set in. the face of said movin part, acontact-brush 5 connected with one end of said coil 4:, and a springcontacta-rm (i, mounted on said moving part, said coil, brush,contactarm, and moving part forming parts of the igniting-circuit.

In witnesswhereof we have hereunto signed our names in the presenceoftwo subscribing witnesses.

LEON .I. LE PQNTOIS. ADOLPllE OLl illl lNl.

Vitnesses:

JULEs ARMENGi-IUD, .Ieune, EDWARD l. MACLEAN.

